Comparison of social skills in adolescent schoolchildren from a municipal school

Abstract

Objective: To compare the levels of social skills between adolescents categorized as normal weight and overweight.

Methodology: A comparative study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 14 to 17. The sample consisted of 59 students of both sexes (36 males and 26 females). Body mass index (BMI) was assessed, handgrip strength (right and left) was measured, and social skills were surveyed for both sexes.

Results: Regarding social skills, differences were observed in men, with youth categorized as overweight showing higher scores in social skills compared to youth of normal weight (p<0.05). No differences were found between the two groups in women (p>0.05). Positive (non-significant) relationships were found between social skills and BMI in both sexes (men r=0.187 and women R=0.216).

Conclusion: Excess weight in adolescent males could be associated with better perception or performance in social skills, compared to their normal weight peers, however, in females there were no differences or association, so further studies are needed.